HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

We love [healthy] love

healthy relationship traits

Everyone deserves to have healthy relationships where we feel safe, supported, and still independent. Here are four healthy traits we like to focus on.

RESPECTFUL

treat others how they want to be treated

Space

be your own person

Respect is sometimes called the "Golden Rule," which proposes to treat others how you want to be treated. But TAP808 likes to say, “Treat others how they want to be treated.” And the only way to know how someone else wants to be treated is by asking them!

In a respectful relationship, partners should:

Practice healthy communication and listen to each other

Ask for partner’s opinion on what they want to do

Respect each other’s boundaries and the right to say "No"

Value opinions, beliefs, and culture, even if they differ from your own

Acknowledge partner’s wants and needs

Respect chosen pronouns and comfort level in disclosing the relationship to others

No matter how long you’ve been together, space and boundaries are major! Both people in the relationship deserve to have independence, where personal space and boundaries are encouraged.

In a relationship with space, partners should:

Be able to spend time with friends and family

Trust each other without making the partner “check in”

Trust partner without checking their social media to prove location

Respect partner’s boundaries and what they are comfortable with

Don’t accuse partner of cheating or being unfaithful when text messages go unanswered

Share openly and honestly about thoughts or concerns in the relationship

Respect each others privacy

Equality

equal decision making

Fun

relationships should take work, but shouldn't be a chore

Equality is a crucial part of a healthy relationship. One person should not have control over all the decision making, and partners need to work together to find balance.

In an equal relationship, partners should:

Mutually care about the relationship

Do nice things for each other

Go to places or participate in activities that both people enjoy

Split the cost of dates

Offer support and build each other up

Treat each other as equals

During disagreements, be honest with partner and listen to their needs

Your relationships should be a fun thing. You should be able to work on making yourself a better partner or friend, but you should also be able to have fun with the people you care most about.